Gas-engine.



H. H. HOOD.

GAS ENGINEI APPLICATION FILED SEPT-20| I9I5.

Patented Mayll, 1918.

3 SHEETS-SHEET I.

.Ii-ITI.

H. H. HOOD.

GAS ENGINE. PPLICATUN FILED SEP'LZO. IBIE.`

Patented May14,198.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

H. H. HOOD.

GAS ENGINE. A'PFLICATIDN FILE? SEPT. 20. ISIS.

-of the exploded HARRY H. HOOD, 0F CHICAGOJ ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR T0 ERNEST F. HERRMANN, OF

CHIC AGO, ILLINOIS.

GAS-ENGINE.

Application inea september 2o, 1915.

1b all whom t may concern:

Beit known that I, HARRY H. Hoon, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvement-s in Gas-Engines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in gas engines7 and refers more particularly to improved means for cooling the interior of the cylinder or combustion chamber.

Among the sailent objects of the invention are` to provide, in a gas -engine, means for introducing a supply ol cooling fluid into the combustion chamber, whereby the heat gases causing evaporation of said cooling lluid in the region Where the latter is introduced; to provide a method of cooling of the type referred to in which the cooling fluid may be introduced in varyin amounts depending upon the conditions o load and speed under which the engine is operating; to provide a cooling system of the class described in which the admission of coolingl fluid may be properly regulated as to its time and rate of flow into the cylinder; to provide a system of cooling ol. the class described which may readily be utilized for engines operating upon either the four-cycle or the two-cycle principle; to provide a cooling system of the class described in which the gasified cooling fluid forms a cooling en` velop surrounding the heated exploded charge, and thereby prevent access of the flaming gases to the parts which it is desired to cool; to provide a cooling system of *the class described in which the heat subtracted by the cooling fluid from the parts to be cooled is expended in gasifying the said cooling fluid` thereby producing an increase of propulsivc ellort in said cylinder; to provide a engine cooledinternally and having its exterior insulated so as to prevent dissipation of heat energy outwardly to the cylinder walls; to provide a gas engine cooled in the manner dcscril'iedP and in which the cooling medium may be applied to the parts to be cooled uniformly and in properly regulated amounts without the use of complicated mechanism for distributing the fluid; to provide a gas cuginiA nl thi class described in which the cooling medium operates in some. measure as a lubricant for the cylinder, thereby effecting a marked econom y inthel use of oil; to provide a gas engine Specicatlon of Letters Patent.

Serial No. 51,544.

cooled as described, which, while being elli*- cient, is at: the same time simple and economical in construction and operation; and, in general, to provide an improved gas engine oly the character referred to.

The acconumnyingr drawings illustrate the application of my invention to a verticallgas engine havingr a single cylinder.

In said drawings-- Figure l is a section taken vertically through the center el' the engine1 showing the piston in its lowerinost position;

Fig. Q is a fragmentary end elevation, looking l' rom the rear of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a section taken on the line 3-3 of Fig l;

Fig. t is an enlarged view of the pump mechanism, shown in elevation; and

Fig. 5 is a section taken on the line 5 5 of Fig Referring to the drawings, 10 represents the frame or crank easingr of the engine in which journaled lne crank shaft l1, the latter being connected to the piston 12 by means of the connecting rod lilv The pis ton 1L reciprfnates in the cvlini'lcr 14. thc lop ot which is closed by Iln'- bolted-on head l5 in which are locale-l the intatte ulivo lt? and thc exhaust valve li. The latter may be ol1 any usual .onslruvliou ll-signed to pro moto eillcicnov in th." admission aud emission ol the charge. and may Inl operated by rocker arms 18 and l!) actuated by Apushcib-rods 20 and 21 in any approved manner, from thc cam shaft The piston is furnished with the usual multiple piston rings 23, and, to thc head of the piston is secured, by means of a central boil 24, a bronze anuulus 25 which preferably is insulated Vfrom thc head of the piston h v a mica disk 2li. The hcadlofthc cylinder is lined with a substantial thickness of metal. such as bronze7 having a high degree of heat conductivity, as shown at 27, said liner 'forming in conjunction with the annulus 25 the space in which the charge is compressed prior to ignition. For a. purpose which will hereinafter appear, thc annulus Q5 is consi ruf-ted of substantially less dialnelcr than the internal diameter oli'thc liner 27. l@aid liner 27 is also insulated from thel head ot the cylinder by means of an annular' mica packing QS and a mica disk'29.

In order to prevent escape ol heat eX- ternally from thc cylinder walls, I form on the exterior of the cylinder a pair of flanges Patented May 14, 191e.V

Small pipes fili, the inner ende` ol' which are threaded into the cy linder wall. as .hown at `36. Each of Said i ce :tft is connected li' means otJ a union 57 to la common pipe 3S encircling the cylinder, to which .pipe connected a riser 39 leading 'from the water pump, as shown in Fig. 2. .i

Describing the water pump detailS,--to the exterior of the crank casing is Secured a pump chanllier 4() which is provided with the cusltoniary spring-cinitrolled inlet and outlet ,lV-alves, which are ot any approved type and are not shown or spei-.itically dcscribcd. The piston Vtl of the pump` which is otthe rant type, extends out` ol' tblI stul ting' hon l2 and slidingly supported in a small lng 43 projecting from the pump housing, and is normally pulled outwardly from the pump chamber hy moana of a stiff coil springe-t which is interposed between the outer face of said lug t3 and a washer 45 secured on the projectingr end of Said rain. Intt-n'mediate the lug 43 and the stnllngr box 42 is a pin 4G which forms; a pivotal connection for the cani lever 47, the depending` end of the latter being provided with a cani roll 48 which is engaged by a cam 4t) keyed to the projecting end of the cam shaft 22, The fulcrum of said cam lever i7 is a roller 50 engaging;r the Side ot' Said cam lever 47. Said roller 50 beingr rotatably supported in a alnall bracket 51 which is Slidably sanpported in the pnnip housing and is adjust.- able vertically by means oi a screw 52 fittinpi in a. threaded hole in thc base of said bracket 51. Said screw 52 is Conveniently rotated by means of a hand-wheel 53 keyed to the lower end thereof. 1t is manifest that movement `of the bracket 51 in a vertical direet'ion will ohangifthe position of the ful-- ernrn for the cani lever 47, and the stroke of the pump will be correspon(lingly altered. This enables the supply of water to be very accurately regulated.

lt will be observed that l absolutely dispense with extraneous means for cooling the cylinder of the engine. When startin the engine, I preferablyy shut oft the supp y ot' cooling Water from the pump until the cylinder wall has attained a temperature high enough to rapidly Vaporize any water. injected into the cylinder for cooling purposes. The. cam 49 is so synchronized with thc other rotating part-S that the cooling water is preferably admitted when the piston however is at or near its inmost po.-.ition when ignition takesl pl: ce. ln the four-cycle engine which l have illurarated, the injection of water is comincia-ed `alightly before the crank rl-.acheily the dead center and eontinueel for a limited time, until the piston ha descended slightly. ly reference to Fig. Il. it will be observed that during the time the water is being injected` the endel ol' the injection piper .'ltl are emered by the bronze annulu. 25, but inasmuch aa `mid part is made a raub Starlllal fraction ol' an inch leas in diameter than the internal diameter oll the cylinder.y the water ia admitted freely. The annular water espace between the bronze annuluhy 25 and the liner 27 or wall of the c vlirnlcr is, made small enough So that the amount ot' water which if injected at ain4 one time will more than till Haid space and flow out ot the annular cavity at the upper end of said space. lt ia manifest that the effect of Said annular unice between the bronze annuluS and the tylindcr uall is equivalent to that of a .Qn-ab or 4eponge which is charged with water and nipt donn the interior of the cylinder once every two rei olntions.

ythe watt-r. which. a.: jul described, in forced out. between the bronze annulus on the end of the piston and the wall of the cylinder when the pieton is at or about its topinost position, in distributed around the interior ot the cylinder wall in a comparatively thin film or coating which almost in- Stantaneouely vaporizes. due to the fact that the ten'iperatnre of the wall of the cylinder is higher thaii that ot' boiling water, and iu vaporizing forint-i a gaseous envelop which surrounds the exploded mixture and pre rents accesav of the heated gases to the wall ot' the cylinder 'l`hc heat necessary to effeet thia` raporization of Said film of water is obtained principally from the wall of the cylinder. and therefore dem` not` materially reduce the temperature oil the exploded gases occupying' the interior of the cylinder cavity. 0n account of the latent heat of evaporation of this [ihn of water, a large suppl y of heat must of necessity he deducted from the cylinder walls in order 'tn eeifect the gasifying ot the said hnpthe abStra-'cl tion ot said heat lowering the. temperature of the cylinder Sutliciently for its practical operation.

It is apparenty that the steam produced in the cylinder by emporation of the film of cooling water admitted to its interior, becomes a part of the cylinder charge, and

thus operates to increase the volume and` pleasure of the motive gases, resulting in .a

Substantial increase in the efficiency of the engine. The presence of the steam' thus Yformed is also particularly elicacious in preventing' fouling of the cylinder, due to depositiel ot carbon, or otherwise.

The presence of the film of Water on the tot ini

ign

eylimler null :ihore the piston rings is wry helpful in lnainl'ninima,Ir :L perfect gas-tight, joint between the piel'on und the cylinder, in that it forms a water Ieel hy virtue of which the escupe of gnsi's largely prevented. lf. should he understood that while lhe gne oli' the cylinder is at nniximun'i pressure, the wafer which is being admitted lo the cylinder is performn1' l'lw Sinne or nia :i filighfly greater prczsnrr, :uni conefwnlently positively prevenir lh:- :Jrfuin .Vroni the cylinder.

ln my impzoi'wi 4 iS engine', the Cooling fluid i 'onffluelefl i ,i u to the cylirnler willi. which is the part desired to he cooled. l i :i well known fnct that when :l film of waiter i applied lo u nielul Aull-linee und is l'heze empomterh n comlmrulirely huge proporiun of lnheul nhaorlnl hy fhe llnill when il i cynpf'unlefl ievnhslrzual'ml from the inetnl slurlnmn unil :i irunpnrntively .insigg'nilirfnnl quantity nl' heul in laken from fhe v |nrn|mfiin; wie or :umoqrlfiere iulf whirl lw empnrzilezl {luifl is linully inenr pnrulerl. This phenomenon iS yery pio nounrecl win-re 1hr li-'iuiil i1-1 evaporated very quickly .Fiom i 1-1nrz":u^e haring :L high eonductivity. llence. in my engine.y the heet which is necewsmy to effect the evaporation nl the cooling fluid is faken principally from the cylinder well, which is the purtlo he eoolefl; :1nd to .make such cooling `Still more el'lecliw. l use n high eoinlintiiviy lining' for the conehiwtion ehnmlicr, :is linel heen rleemrihed.

The coolingA elli-ct of the liquid in its iunporntiou in the v rlinfler ia ihm expendefl nminly in rwlnringr he temper-:llore of the cylinder will. nml nn in lowering (he ienn perniure :unl prewurn ol' 'l he wrploilerl ggzie. ll ie my. opinion, i-ihlmnggh l um noi po -iv lire on lhh` pninl, lhnl lhu- Forming of :in envelop of tonni :nfouul the exploded charge i# :lu iniporluni; fuf'l'or in preventing conduction or rrulinfion of the luzli between the highly hentefl gusci* :unl llu1 cylinder null., Suhl envelop of shaun, ne prei'iounly t:|le l, in no prmluri'ed hy mcrilciug' lhe lempernlzurc or plensure nl' he exploded rhin-ge. hut if anything unirmenh: the mh mue :nifl preseure of the charge.

ln applying my invention lo n siuglorylimler founstroke cycle ons engine hnvin;r e stroke of' fourteen incheh :incl :i fliinnefer of right inches. l preferably make the luronze.

cup or :innuhm` 25 upploxinmtely one onehnmlred und lil'tielh part nl nu inch less in linmeter than ll'le inlernul linmeer oi' the cylinkler. :unl l Hel` the pump cani in auch posilion thrill delivery of Water is commenced npproxiimirely thirty degrees before the ('lnnk Pouches; the (lead renier nl the igni- (ion point of llu` cycle. The pump earn in the cese cileil iunr'nnged to deliver water during n period corresponding to approximately one-sixth of u revolution of the crank elnif'l, ln onler lo make the pump operate in u positive nninner nml ulwnye deliver a definite :imonnt of water to the cylinder al', the proper time, l make the piping between the pump und the injection orifices as small ne poeaihle, consistent with the delivery of lhe required amount of cooling water. The injection oriliee` in the (use cited are approximnlely one-thirlysecond of an inch in (liinmrter :incl eight in number, :is shown. the piping; between the pump and the commou ring pipe mipplying Huid orifice@ heing oneeighth of nn inch in rlzuneter. engine, when working nt full load, usee nhnn one pini: of water per one hundred f'yrleawhich rorrerzpmn'ls to about one teaepoon Full ol' miler o noch .irolie of the pump, ln the enfin wiwi, I have found that 1h;A meer, economical working temperature linz' ihr ylinihi null i approximately 15?)o Guhl..

il xviii ln obvious lo l'n'c Skilled in the nrt ihnl my inyeuiion ie ealmhle of various meu lilicniimm, uml ec'msequenly I. lo not n'ieh to he limited tu ihe construction or manner of (iipi-rution described, exeept as specified in the nppl'qnlefl elnilns.

1. In an interm'xl comhuril ion engine, the eomhinntion o n Qonihiwlion chamber, and menne for lwupplying :i film of cooling water progrewively lo a portion of The area 0f the inner snrfnee of Suid combustion chamber lnx-ing' the exploeion Stroke, whereby the will of nid eomliiustion chnn'lher is reduced in lenn'nrnlfuro.

2. ln n gris @gin-- ihe romhinntion of a cylinder proyiflvfl with n hearing surface therein. n pinion element adapted lo reCpmruniu nid n ylilnler, :ind meine for preyenling wrzxpn ol high'premnre gases from .will cylindern includingy a pump for supplyingI miler lnnler pressure, means for actuating seid pump during a period of high presenre, nml n uns for conducting said Water between the mutually Sliding hearing surlui-elf of seid pieton und cylinder.

3.4Th procese of deriving power from thi` expiosion of games. which consists in Hrlniiltlng un explosive mixlure tu the interior of e cylinder behind :i piston, ig uiting' the lnixlure and pe fmitting the eX- plmh-l guseh' lo more the piston in the cylinder and in flissl'ributiug a snbstantallv coniinnons annular film of wnler over the inferior surface of Suid cylinder hehind said pieton by the movement of saill pieton under the influence of Said gases, gzwil'ying said lilm ol unter plineipnlly by heul obtained from the will of Suid Cylinder whereb said wall is reduceil in temperature, and ex austing' Said gases from the Cylinder.

4. In u gne engine, lhe combination of u cylinder, iipislon to reciprocate Within said cylinder, Suid parts being provided with an This.

nulnr enacting hearing surfaces, one of said surfaces being; adopted to be progressively exposed by the movement oi the piston in the cylinder, a d menus for supplying Water under pressur between said bearing surfaces whereby the movement of the piston in the cylinder gradually exposes a Watercnrryinfv' exposed surface in the interior of said cylinder during its reciprocutory outward movement.

5. In an internal combustion engine,the combinntion 0i" a combustion cl'u'unber having a henring sui-face therein, :i part movable within said chamber to expose said bearing surfnce progressively during the expansion ol. the exploded churge, und means lior progressively supplying by pressure a film of water to said exposed surface as it becomes exposed-by the movement of said part, said water emanating from the .space between the cooperating bearing surfaces of said part und said chamber.

In an internal combustion engine, the combination of n combustion chamber hav ing a bearing surface therein, a part movable within sn'id vchamber ro expose said bearingl surface progressively, said parts loosely itting each other, and means synchronized with the Crank shaft of the engine for delivering n supply of Cooling fluid under pressure to the .space between said parts whereby a film of duid for cooling purposes is progressively distributed on said exposed bearing surfaces during a period of high pressure Within said combustion chamber, the delivery of fiuid being suspended during ny period of low pressure.

7. In :in internally cooled internal comhusi ion engine the Combination of a cylinder, n piston adopted to reciprocate therein, one of said parts having a. portion of its area adapted lo Ile covered and uncovered by the relative inovenn-nt ol' said iarts, piston rings carried by said piston indi arranged to prevent the passage of the cylinder contents between said parts, and a pump synchronized with-the movement of snid piston for conducting a supply of liquid Water under` pressure to said area during the explosion stroke of the engine, the supply of Water being arrested during the period of admission of the explosive charge, whereby said Water is vaporized by the heat. of said parte which are reduced in temperature, the space between said parts beingr completely occupied by wa ter in liquid or gaseous torni during.;r the outward movement of said pistou in the cylinder during the explosion stroke.

8. In an internal combustion murine, the, combination of a cylinder, pier-:n adepte-d to reciprocate therein, one of .sund pn rts heving a portion of its area adrxp' ffl to he covered and uncovered by the dilutive sidable movement of said parts, the vormen el the piston having bearing with seid eren being a comparatively loose sliding fit in said cylinder, and means for conducting a limited .supply of water under pressure to the space intermediate said parts durin a limited portion oi the cycle of said engine.

9. In an internal combustion engine, the combination of a cylinder, a piston adapted to reciprocate therein, one of Said parts having a portion of its area adapted to be covered and uncovered by the relative movcment ol said parts, the portion of the piston having benl-iupr with said area bein n comparatively loose fit in said cyln er, und means synchronized with the crank shaft ofv the engine for conducting a limited supply of water under pressure to the space between said parts during the explosion stroke of the engine, said supply being arrested during the period of admission of the explosive charge.

10. In an internal combustion engine, the combination of a cylindera` piston adapted to reciprocate therein, one of said parts having u portion of its aree adapted to be covered and uncovered hy the relative. move` ment of said ports, the portion of the pis/ ton having bearing with said area being a comparatively loose fit in snid cylinder,`

means synchronized with the crank shaft of the engine for conducting a limited supply of Water under pressure to the space be'- tween Said parts during the explosion stroke of the engine, said supply being arrested during the period of admission of the explosive charge, and means for conducting heet from the non-bearing area of the cylinder to the Watercooled area.

ll. In a gas engine, the combination o f an internally cooled cylinder, a piston therefor having its inner end loosely fitting within said cylinder, piston rings for the outer end of said piston a pump,.rneans for actuating said pump during n period of high pressure, and a conduit for'connecting said pump with the space between the piston end and the cylinder for conducting a limited supply of Water into said space, the capacity of said space being ot the order of the pump capacity.

12. In a gas engine, the combination of an internally cooled cylinder, aV piston therefor having a cylindrical inner extension loosely slidable in said cylinder, piston rings for the outer end of said piston, a pump. a conduit connecting said pump with the annular crevice between said cylinder and said piston end, and means for actuating said pump during e period of high pressure within said cylinder whereby a supply of cooling Water is forced out of said crevice and deposited upon the inner wall of said cylindex'.

13. In a gas engine, the combination of n cylinder, a piston therefor havin `a. cylindrical inner extension loosely slda ein said' said cylinder and said piston end, and means for actuating said pump during a period of high pressure within said cylinder whereby a supply of cooling water is forced mit of said crevice and deposited upon theinner wall of said cylinder, the capacity of said crevice being less than the pump capacity'.

14. In an internal combustion engine, the combination of a working cylinder provided at the outer end of the compression space with an outlet port, a piston provided with an extension loosely slidable within said combustion space and adapted at its innermost position to cover said port, and a pump for injecting water through` said port when covered by said extension.

15. In an internal combustion engine, the f ombination of a working cylinder provided the outer end of the compression space with an inlet port, a piston provided with an annular extension loosely slidable Within said compression space and adapted at its innermost position to cover said port, piston rings so positioned that they never seal said port, a pump connected to said port, and means synchronized with the crank shaft for actuating said pump to inject Water into the annular crevice between said extension and the cylinder wall during a period of high pressure.

16. In an internal combustion engine, the combination of a working cylinder provided adjacentthe outer end of the compression space with a circumferential series of inlet ports, a piston provided with a cylindrical annular extension loosely slidable within said cylinder and at its innermost positionv surrounding a substantial percentage of the total compression space, a pump connected to said port, and means for actuating said pump to force a supply of cooling Water through said ort into the space between the extension andJ the cylinder wall during a period of high pressure.

17. In an internal combustion engine, the combination of a working cylinder provided with a substantially cylindrical compression space, a piston having a cylindrical annular open ended extension slidable in said compression space and surrounding the same when in its innermost position, and a pump for forcing water into the circumferential crevice between the extension and the Wall of the combustion space of the cylinder.

18:In an internal combustion engine, the combination of a working cylinder provided with a substantially cylindrical com ression space, a piston having a cylindrica annular open ended extension made of metal of high heat conductivity slidable in said compression space and surrounding the same when in its innermost position, and a. pump for forcing Water into the circumferential crevice between the extension and the wall of the combustion space of the cylinder.

19. In an internal combustion engine, the combination of a Working` cylinder provided with a substantially cylindrical compression space, a piston having a cylindrical annular open ended extension made of metal of high heat conductivity 'slidable in said compression space and surrounding same when in its innermost position, and a pump for forcing water into the circumferen tial crevice between the extension and the wall of the combustion space of the cylindcr, said combustion space Vbeing lined with metal of comparatively high heat conductivity.

20. In an internal combustion engine, the

combination of a working cylinder having a.

cylindrical combustion space lnedwith metal of high heat conductivity, s aid cylinder being provided with a circumferential series of restricted inlet ports located adjacent the outer end of the combustion space, a piston having an annular cylindrical open ended extension made of metal of high heat conductivity loosely slidahle within the lining of said compression space and adapted to cover said ports when the piston is in its innermost position, piston rings for said piston always located below the inlet ports, a. pump connected to said ports, and synchronizing means for actuating said pum during a period of high rcssure and whi e the extension covers sai ports whereby a supply of water-,is forced into the annular crevice between said xtension and the c linder wall.

HARRY HOOD. Vifitnesses:

L. SANDER, A. Downey. 

